New Deadline Introduced: M-4 Widening Between Pindi Bhattian and Faisalabad Must Finish by December 15

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed that the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad section of the M-4 motorway be widened from four to six lanes and completed by December 15, during an NHA meeting reviewing Central Region projects.

Other Projects Getting a Push Too

The meeting also decided to accelerate construction of the Lodhran-Multan Expressway and advance work on the Lalamusa Bypass on GT Road (N-5). Officials reviewed rehabilitation of the Baba Farid Bridge over the Sutlej River, while plans to connect the Layyah and Taunsa bridges in South Punjab to the wider highway network were also discussed. The NHA chairman was directed to submit a prompt report on the Phool Nagar Interchange on N-5.

A Quality Benchmark Was Set

Khan instructed the NHA to use the Murree-Islamabad Expressway as a model for construction quality, ensuring new highways get modern lighting and proper rest areas — alongside safe pedestrian crossings and smooth traffic flow during construction.

The Bottom Line

With a firm December 15 deadline now attached to the M-4 widening, and a benchmark project named for quality standards, the real test over the coming months will be whether NHA's execution keeps pace with the minister's timeline.